Booq Python XL Laptop Backpack Review (w. Pictures)

On the eternal quest for the ultimate laptop bag I stumbled across Booq some months ago. I ordered a Python XL Backpack that I have been using for a few months now.

When I thought about buying it, I couldn’t find a review anywhere that showed pictures different from the ones on Booq’s site, so I thought maybe it would be a good idea to write one once I’ve been using the bag for a while.

I’m very satisfied with the bag – the quality is astounding, and the usability is better than any other backpack I have owned so far. My only gripe is that while it is a big bag, the front compartment (where you put documents or books) lacks depth, i.e. when I load a bunch of doxuments, it’s cramped quite fast. Getting a book or a folder in is next to impossible and will make the built-in pockets inaccessible.

Also, there are features that are useless to me:

The pocket at the front that is supposed to hold an MP3 player: I’m maybe just too dumb to get how it’s supposed to work. Also, I can only control my iPod on the device, so I’d have to open the pocket to skip a tune. I’m currently using it to hold some stuff I don’t need very often

The detachable pocket on the front is a neat idea, but again it doesn’t suit my usage patterns

There are extra straps on the back to put around your waist, which I don’t need and are simply in the way all the time. I mean, it’s not that I’m going to go hiking with the bag, and the standard straps are already fitting perfectly

But despite these small gripes (which may be highly valued features to many other people), I stand by my previous comment: this is one of the best laptop backpacks you can buy. I have tried most of them so far, and none of them matches the Python XL in day to day usability.

I wanted to do the detail review here, instead I have opted to upload the pictures into a Flickr set and have annotated the pictures there. Feel free to leave comments.

Well it’s 22:39 on a Friday evening here in Germany and I am done – my inbox both private and work are emtpy, my list of blogs to read and sites to visit are done so I think it’s time to sit back and relax a bit.One of the …

Well it’s 22:39 on a Friday evening here in Germany and I am done – my inbox both private and work are emtpy, my list of blogs to read and sites to visit are done so I think it’s time to sit back and relax a bit.One of the …